On a bright morning in the Bethnal Green oasis that is Saint Matthew’s Church gardens, six GoodGymers tackled a sun-drenched task. I got to the church on time after ParkRun, but Lucinda wasn’t going to miss her post-ParkRun coffee. I was going to football, so left the St Matthew’s "pitch", appropriately at half-time, to be replaced by substitute Lucinda

Chandrima, Chloe, Emma and Kareem put in proper shifts and everyone worked hard. There was a large walnut tree in the centre of an earth bed, but if anyone had fancied a walnut, they'd have been thwarted by the mass of foliage surrounding it. It looks a bit like nettle, but it didn’t sting like one. Until someone plunged his thin-gloved hand into a bunch of the green leaves, and got more than a bit stung. That was grasping the nettle all right…

We soon cleared half the area, making sure we got the roots to prevent re-growth. Task owner Andrea was a delight, very grateful for our help, and wanted us back as soon as we could arrange it. She even supplied refreshments, including more bars of chocolate. We’re getting used to this!

Thanks a lot to Chandrima for setting up the task, and Emma for the pictures. And well done newbie Chloe for attending four tasks in six days!

“The food will arrive in vans on Friday evening at 17:15”. That was the information we had, and five GoodGymers duly sneaked out of work to get to Camden food back in time. But heavy traffic, no doubt caused partly by the earlier Tube strike, meant the vans were considerably delayed. Task owner Abi was hugely apologetic and kept urging the van on, phone to his ear. John and Jacqui had tickets for Hampstead Theatre, while Theo had to leave before the vans even arrived. But we were sustained by lively chat, as well as three boxes of croissants which were surplus to requirements following a meeting at a nearby office

As St Pancras church clock struck six, the vans arrived, full of crates of baked beans, nappies and many other goods of varying weight. Together with other volunteers, we formed a human chain to ferry the produce from the van, up a winding staircase and along the upper floor where it was neatly stacked, ready for distribution to those in need

Within half an hour the job was done, Siobhan gave out the remaining croissants at a nearby pub, and John and Jacqui got to Hampstead in time. Well done everyone, and welcome to the very patient Ali-John, on his first good deed. We promise not to keep you waiting 45 minutes next time!